In 2019, I rented a loft in Wheeling, West Virginia. I had just quit my job to work on restoring historic buildings.
Between working at the Wheeling National Heritage Area and being welcomed by the town’s tight-knit community, Wheeling quickly felt like home. But I wasn’t planning to buy a house until I saw the 3,075-square-foot McLain House during a walk through the East Wheeling Historic District.
I was immediately drawn to its location, an up-and-coming neighborhood full of beautiful architecture. Built in 1892, the house had tons of original detail and came with an enormous side lot.
Finding quality masons with experience with historic brick that won’t cost a fortune wasn’t easy. I probably met with a dozen masons, getting quotes ranging from $20,000 to $65,000.
Photo: Betsy Sweeny
It was perfect, except it wasn’t livable. There had been decades of water infiltration, which led to brick decay and structural issues. But I was ready for the challenge.
In May 2020, I purchased the property for $16,500 with the help of a personal loan. Then I secured a $100,000 construction loan and got straight to work.
My living expenses are $1,047 a month, which includes my mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance and utilities.
Renovating an abandoned 19th century house
As an architectural historian, I help people figure out how to best preserve, restore and renovate historical properties. So this project was right up my alley.
One of my favorite things about living in an old house is knowing that I am just a piece of the history of that place.
Photo: Betsy Sweeny
From the summer of 2020 through the fall of 2021, the house was under construction. It needed everything: new windows, floors, walls — you name it. But we preserved as much as we could. Every repair left me with a sense that the house was healing itself and getting stronger.
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The masonry needed the most work. I hired a crew to repair the fine brickwork on the façade, but spent four months in a bucket truck on nights and weekends, repairing the rest of the house myself.
According to historic documents provided by the Friends of Wheeling, the house was probably built for Thomas B. McLain around 1892. McLain was born in Warren, Ohio and came to Wheeling with his parents, John G. and Eliza Ellen Baird McLain, when he was 2 years old.
Photo: Mickey Todiwala for CNBC Make It
The pandemic meant that other historic restoration projects I was working on were paused or slowed down, so I had plenty of time to focus on my house. This helped me stick to my budget.
After the initial repairs, I had the house reappraised. To my delight, it was valued at $202,000. So I refinanced it and used an additional loan to renovate the kitchen.
Living in the McLain House
These curtains were made by my mother, who carefully considered height, weight and the perfect pooling factor when she created them.
Credit: Betsy Sweeny
I moved into the three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom house around Thanksgiving in 2021, after 18 months of construction.
I instantly fell in love with the pocket doors in the entrance area. I’m very lucky that they still work and are in great condition.
Mickey Todiwala for CNBC Make It
Upon entrance, you’re greeted by a grand stairway, complete with a fireplace tucked into the corner.
My friend Kellie made the stained glass transom above the front door.
My living room and dining room flow together, separated only by the original pocket doors that I keep open most of the time.
Photo: Mickey Todiwala for CNBC Make It
In the back of the house, my kitchen is a combination of original and modern, with brand new built-in cabinets reminiscent of what was originally there.
Though I was limited by the space in terms of what kind of cabinetry I could have, I can say now after living